Family Relationship among North Korean Migrant Families in Early Adaptation : An Empirical Study Centered on Family Members' Perception

탈북자 가족 구성원의 가족관계 인식에 관한 조사연구 : 탈북자 가구주 및 그 배우자의 인식을 중심으로

This study examines family relationship among North Korean migrant families in early adaptation (approximately, up to $5{\sim}6$ years after arrival in the South). Family cohesion, communication, power relationship, and conflicts and domestic violence among family members were examined by the perceptions of 67 male and female householders and their spouses. In the four areas of family relationship, the subjects have quite positive perceptions and shows no critically significant difference on the perceptions between before and after arrival. However, positive perception on family relationship gradually decreases as the length of time of in the South increases with linear or nonlinear patterns according to subcategories of family relationship. These findings suggest several social work practice implications in resettlement assistance for the North Korean migrant families.